It has now become so typical of Maltese public servants to blame others, but never themselves. The Mellieha mayor is no exception to this trait. Take a walk down the village Main Street and if you sprain or break your leg, forget finding solace at the local council. The mayor would direct you to the Water Services Corporation, who are changing a water pipe there, or to the ministry responsible for roads as “this is an arterial road and we have no control over it”.

Have we heard that sound bite before? But the guy, whose name is Rob something, had the gall to assemble the shop-keepers, who try to earn a living on this tilted street, a week before the workmen and their machinery invaded the thoroughfare, and he assured them that the contractor would close up all trenches started in the morning by that same evening. “Now, dear businessmen and women, that is how efficient I am!” Clap, clap, hip, hip...

Words, lip service, gibberish – that is what it is called. It has been over two months since the street was turned from dingy to chaotic when it should have taken not more than ten days to execute the job. Customers cannot walk into any retail outlet safely. It is true that some open trenches got stuffed, but with debris, stones and rubble. Take a look at the photograph.

What a mess, Rob. Disarray has never been so organised. I suggest you hurry as Father Christmas is just around the corner.

Jo Said

Mistra